Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I haven't seen any activity on this sub-forum for a while but I figure somone must be checking it periodically. I am contemplating a purchase of V.s.cummingi as they are not readily imported and would provide an interesting captive project as well as a decent possible return as the Australian species do. I would like to know the ups and downs of this species if you have worked with or been close to someone working with them... Thanks, and best to you all- Mike

Dit you check out cybersalvator.com. They have all kinds of stuff about water monitors over there.

Roger

Hey Roger,
Thanks for the advice. I have checked out that site and many others as well as the book "mertensiella" which has a breeding account and many other text over the years. I have dealt with some in the past but have never spent any "real" time with them. Is that site out of construction now? I will have to go back and check again, but again, thank you my friend- Best to you- Mike

Hello Mike, last I checked It was up. The guy's name who does the site si John Andragna I think. I have his E- mail address. He knows a lot about waters and I'm sure he would know if what you are looking for is available. The address is on his site but if you cant find it let me know and I'll get it for you.

Roger

Hey Roger,
Thanks, I will check it out right now... By the way are you keeping Niles or Ornates and do you know from what region? Just curious... there are some very beautiful varieties that have been available over the years- the Tanzinian variety is the locale that called here in FL home over 20 years ago. They have done quite well. Also, the environment has not suffered from them at all contrary to the propaganda that has flooded the media(just another reason to squeeze funds out of the public). Well, best to you-Mike

Hello Mike, I think one is from Tanzania & the other from Togo. Both are V.niloticus. I looked at lots of pics of different local on the internet and thats the conclusion I came to. I might be wrong. I'd love to get a couple Ornates but right now is not the time. These guys really keep me busy. Sometimes I think water changing is all I do. It's ok I love my lizards and I could provide smaller water pans but I think bigger is better. I like to see them swim. If I got anymore large monitors I wouldnt be able to provide as good of care as these guys get. I raised a water years ago, I really loved that lizard. I moved out of state and had to give him away. Hey Let me know if that site is up. Take it easy Mike.

Roger

Hey Roger,
I really do enjoy hearing about your monitor trials. I believe that coring out rooms in your house shows a hard to find degree of dedication. Right or wrong, that is up to the keeper- definitely dedicated . They (Niles)do come out of East and West Africa - the exact locations are hard to determine but Tanzinia, Uganda (East)and Nigeria, Ghana(West) were frequently trying to get me to buy. Ornates do come in also but are much less frequent but in great numbers when they do(they are really a gem). As for that site, I read what was available but there is still alot that needs to happen. I guess I'll have to be patient. Well, best to you- Mike

Hello Mike, I really enjoy keeping these things. Theres a petstore near where I live that specializes in reptiles and birds. The guy always has a variety of varanids. I dont go there much as it seems I can't escape without a new critter.
The first monitor I ever saw, besides Komodos on T.V, was a Mangrove. I was completely captivated! When I found out I could actually acquire one I was hooked. I learn new things all the time with the ones I have now. I was still in the dark ages of monitor husbandry untill a few months back when I got this computer. Luckily, I found a copy of Rob Fausts book "Nile Monitors" before I got my animals this time around. These suckers grew like gangbusters with the basic info provided in his book. Right now I'm simply keeping as stable an environment as possible for my two in the room. I rescently added a large mound of dirt in a big kiddie pool. The rest of the room is full of cypress. The one I think is a female stays hidden. She eats every day so I'm not too worried yet. She readily accepts food items from tongs but won't come out. I'll be adding another basking area near where she hides and see what happens. I think the male is hogging the two I have now. The room really is a challenge but through trial and error, I think I'm learning to read behavior a little better all the time.
Well, I tend to ramble so I'll leave it there. Time to change water. Thanks Mike.

Roger